Redshirt senior Josh McAlary won his first career race on Friday at the Drenth Memorial.

Aug. 31, 2012

EAST LANSING, Mich. -
The Michigan State cross country team began the 2012 season on a high note on Friday morning at the Jeff Drenth Memorial, held at the Pleasant Hills Golf Course in Mouth Pleasant, Mich. Redshirt senior Josh McAlary won the men's race, while the women dominated the top portion of the results.

"I felt it was a great place for us to start the season, as we were able to get some runners back in competition and have others gain their first collegiate experiences" said Director of Cross Country/Track & Field Walt Drenth. "As a team I felt we raced well on both sides, even though we held out five of our top-seven runners on the women's side and seven of our top-nine runners for the men.

"I was nice to see Josh McAlary back in spikes, posting a first-place finish. Behind him, redshirt freshman Chris Collier stood out, as he continues to make great progress from last season."

McAlary topped the field with a time of 15:36.39 in the 5K race. Collier was fourth overall with a time of 15:42.71. Classmate Andrew Cusmano also made his college debut on Friday, placing 11th at 16:00.35.

"True freshman Ali Wiersma was impressive, running unattached in her first college race," added Drenth. "It was nice to see three Spartans compete behind her for the second, third and fourth spots. Olivia Sydow picked up where she left off last year and redshirt freshman Lindsay Clark did a wonderful job. Emma Drenth competed in her first race since her senior year of high school, after missing two years with injuries, so it was great for her to finish fourth in her first college experience."

Wiersma's time of 18:04.20 led the field by over seven seconds, as Sydow, a redshirt junior, barely held off Clark for second place at 18:11.47. The redshirt freshman Clark posted a time of 18:11.77. Drenth was fourth at 18:24.21. Two more Spartans posted top-10 finishes this morning, as redshirt junior Veronica Wilson was seventh (18:43.78) and redshirt freshman Jana Sedlacek was eighth (18:51.62).

The Spartans return to action on Sept. 14 for the AutoOwners Insurance Spartan Invitational at Forest Akers East Golf Course.